During Child Abuse Prevention Month, we’re reminded that keeping kids safe from abuse and neglect is up to all of us. It’s estimated that over 50 percent of injuries from child abuse are on the head and neck. That means there are warning signs of abuse front and center for dentists, dental hygienists, and other dental professionals who see patients twice annually. Dental professionals have unique opportunities to ask important questions, provide key information, and [...]

This week, a federal judge halted the April 1st implementation of the Bevin Administration’s 1115 Medicaid Waiver, also known as Kentucky HEALTH. We expect the Bevin Administration to announce next step decisions in the coming days, but as of right now, no plans have been unveiled yet. Though several vulnerable populations are exempt from the 1115 waiver, as it protects children, pregnant women, and transition-aged youth in foster care from the potential negative impacts of premiums, reduced [...]

As February comes to an end, so does Children’s Dental Health Month 2019, but that doesn’t mean advocating for children’s dental health and maintaining good dental hygiene is not important all year round! One of the most important components of maintaining good overall health throughout our childhood and our adulthood is through establishing positive dental habits at an early age. According to the 2016 Making Smiles Happen surveillance study, socioeconomic status is a major predictor for 3rd and 6th grader’s [...]

February 25, 2019 - Statement Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Kentucky Oral Health Coalition Statement on House Bill 209 Passing Kentucky House Louisville, KY – A child's oral health is integral to their overall health and well-being, and healthy habits are critical to maintaining good health and oral health. House Bill 209, sponsored by Representative John Carney, promotes healthy drinking habits by establishing a minimum requirement for placing water fountains and bottle filling stations in newly constructed public [...]

It’s February, and as advocates for oral health we know that means Children’s Dental Health Month is here again. Starting as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio, Children’s Dental Health Month is a celebration aimed to help establish positive attitudes and good dental habits at an early age as a key component to maintaining good oral and overall physical health of people young and growing. We hope that this month, you can participate in the annual celebration [...]

We are members of the Monroe County CARES Youth Prevention Ambassadors. We are drug prevention advocates from south central Kentucky. Our group works to reduce use of tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, and marijuana among our peers. One area that our group has had a lot of success in is tobacco prevention. Each year we participate in the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Kick Butts Day and we do media campaigns with newspaper articles, ads, radio PSAs, and [...]

As the state moves forward with changes to the Medicaid system through a 1115 Medicaid Waiver, a new and separate Medicaid policy took effect on January 1strelated to co-payments for Medicaid and Medicaid Expansion eligible recipients. Co-payment is an amount of money people pay to a healthcare provider for a health service, such as an office visit or prescription medication. The amount differs depending on the services received and is often paid the day of [...]

KOHC members and oral health stakeholdersfrom across the state gathered together for the 2018 Kentucky Oral Health Coalition Annual Meeting on Friday, December 14. We kicked off the meeting with two exceptional keynote speakers, Drs. Khanna and Chalmers. Dr. Raj Khanna, oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Marshall University, presented on his work in West Virginia around ER utilization for dental related issued. Dr. Natalia Chalmers, dental officer with the Center for Drug Evaluation & Research, Division of Dermatology & Dental Products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, presented [...]

  This summer, a federal Judge halted implementation of the Bevin Administration's 1115 Medicaid Waiver, known as, Kentucky HEALTH, and yesterday, the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) issued its re-approval. We appreciate that the 1115 Waiver protects children, pregnant women, former foster youth up to age 26, and adults covered through SSA 1931 from the potential negative impacts of premiums, reduced benefit packages, and lockout periods. However, the re-approval of Kentucky HEALTH will [...]

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and we’re celebrating dental hygienists across Kentucky! Dental hygienists play a critical role in helping children and adults by examining signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis, educating patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health, and providing preventative services such as providing fluoride varnish, removing of plaque, and cleaning.  However, the Making Smiles Happen: 2016 Oral Health Study Kentucky Youth tells us that many kids aren’t getting the dental [...]